Hello, we are looking at getting away from Naples next summer and are thinking about Santiago Chile for a month. Does anyone have experience or recommendations for July travel? We will ski a couple days. We are a large family with 5 kids and one son's girlfriend making 8 people.

I'm not a skier or any other winter sport person. But I did do two tours of duty in Santiago Chile back in '92/'93 working for the Carabineros. I really enjoyed my time Chile.

I do know Chile has some great ski resorts along with some fabulous salmon fishing sites.

You will have a memorable time.

I had a former boss who spent some time skiing in Portillo, said it was spectacular and one of her favorite places. While world class, its not as heavily developed as many places or, like a Swiss valley resort.

They just elected a far-Left president and he seems to think he's got a mandate to remake a number of government institutions. While Chile has been more stable than most countries in S.America, there may be some rough times ahead.

I miss Warren Miller. Have fun

Be aware that an “a lo pobre” dish means a large serving with everything on it. Their national version of Poboy. Instead of several dishes, they add what they got so a single serving.

Also an “empanada de pino” has no pine in it. It”s a beef empanada with lots of onions. More onion than meat.

Chile is a conservative society with a large lower class and a significant rich class. Middle class stuck in the middle trying no to make waves and sink.
As far as I can remember, english is not very popular among the common folk but at an international ski resort you’ll have absolutely no problems.

0-0

Thanks 0_0! My Spanish is pretty good, and will improve quickly when there. Hopefully it will help the kids get an affinity for it.

Our 17 yr old daughter is not happy about going for 4 weeks, but we work from home, so we can do what we do from there and get an experience. Funnily it seems less expensive than Argentina for us.

Since you're headed South, why not two-weeks in Chile and two-week in New Zealand?

I lived in southern Chile in 91-93. Never made it to the ski resorts, but they are a few near Temuco, Osorno, and Puerto Montt. Don't know how they compare to the resorts near Santiago. I do know that Los Condes in Santiago is a nice neighborhood.

As for accommodations, I'd imagine you'll find decent, albeit pricey, options. Not familiar with the exchange rate now and whether it's a plus or minus.

For food, can't go wrong with empenadas, arroz con pollo, arroz con leche, cazuela (soup). Lots of potatoes and rice as the base for most meals.

Chile is clever when it comes to foreign trade. They import what they can’t produce locally at a decent cost. You’ll find all the familiar brands easily available at good prices. Nothing exhorbitant.

Thinking of the current WA thread in foreign countries, since you’ll be staying for a while maybe a cheap phone for the trip isn’t a bad idea.

A subtle difference between skiing in Europe and Southern America is that in Europe you ski at lower altitudes. Have never had the opportunity to ski in the US. Methinks it feels colder, as in more humid (?)

0-0

quote:

Originally posted by SigSentry:
I miss Warren Miller. Have fun

[FLASH_VIDEO]<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_bDqzc5mejE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>[/FLASH_VIDEO]

Me, too.

Skiing will be hilarious. I'm originally a New Englander, and aside from 2 seasons in Flagstaff AZ, I have never skied in anything other than heavy concrete crusty stuff. Arizona skiing involved falling down "a lot." Now I'm a middle aged man and that is why we're only going for 3 days. Kids can go more if they really want to.

We are looking at renting a house, and going out to dinner a few times, but primarily eating at the place. It should be a lot of fun.

Chile is a great place to visit. Never skied there but for a time the US Olympic Ski Team would train there.

If you have not picked an area in Santiago yet, look at Las Condes near Avenida Presidente Kennedy.

City has a good public transit system to get around.

They have tremors, and occasional earthquakes. Modern buildings are built to a good standard.

Air transport up and down the country is excellent.

There is a small airport near Las Condes along the Mapocho river that is a soaring destination. Try and take a ride in a glider along the mountain range. Aeródromo Municipal de Vitacura

There are great restaurants. Great seafood, excellent steaks, and local wine and beer.

Careful with the mayonnaise. They put it on sandwich, hamburger... Order it on the side if you want it.

If you want to head out to the coast, you can go south for the greenery or north for arid. Santiago splits the country in two in terms of the weather and landscape.

Money exchanges were readily available and usually had the best rate.

i’ve skied on our side of the Andes, Las Leñas.

Come to think of it, better start exercising if you want to enjoy those 3 days at fullest. Otherwise you are going to hurt up to your earlobes

0-0

Here are two tips full of wisdom:

1. Bring ALL of your prescription drugs for all the group, forget none!
Something i used to read often was the headache that was filling prescriptions away from home and your regular doc.
Used to keep an eye on the local expats board and get my paperbooks and spices from their moving-leaving sales and classifieds.

2. Take a look at Chile / Santiago expats forum.
Don’t know if expats.com is the most popular one or there’s a local version of it.
You’ll easily find out the best tips, shortages if any, and locations to make the best of your trip.

0-0

That expat forum idea is great! We booked the entire month of July through Airbnb and the owners seem like they can help with tips too. Will look on the boards for bargain ideas

My skiing days are long gone and have no clue what pass control methods are nowadays.

What I always used with great results was dressing up as somebody out of place. Always in a party of minimum two (idgits) so we were more easily identified, remembered and dismissed. Speeded up things a lot (lifts, restaurants, etc.) and charmed people even before we got close to them. Worked like a charm in Europe (France, Italy, Austria) and in Argentina.
Pics remain memorable.

Just sayin’

0-0